Athanasius of Alexandria on Extent of the atonement
Universal — for all, applied on faith
On the Incarnation 25.4
THE POSITION
The language is relentlessly universal and the argument requires it — "in the stead of all," "the ransom of all," "the debt owing from all." Because the Word assumed a body of the same nature as everyone's, the death of all is discharged in that one body and incorruption reaches the whole race. The only restriction he draws is in application: those who believe tread down death.
14 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that One died for all, therefore all died.
5 OTHERS HOLD THIS
ABOUT THIS FIGURE
Defender of Nicene orthodoxy against Arianism through repeated exiles. On the Incarnation is his central work on why God became man.
Cite this page
"Athanasius of Alexandria on Extent of the atonement", Examined Doctrine, July 2026 edition, https://examineddoctrine.com/position/athanasius/atonement-extent (archived at https://examineddoctrine.com/editions/2026-07/position/athanasius/atonement-extent).